Auto-reliance

mass.gov

As your YW are headed back to school and the days are still long, it's a good time to have a class on auto-safety.  These can be literally life-saving skills.  Make your YW aware of the dangers of the road and the lures of predators.  What do you do if someone bumps into your car and wants you to get out?  Where do you pull over on a busy freeway?  What do you do if you are stranded in a car in the cold?  What to do if there is an earthquake/tornado/etc.?  How do I jump start my car?  Do I even have jumper cables?  Where should I park when I get out of class late in the evening?  Teach them to trust their instincts and the promptings of the Holy Ghost.  (Better to be embarrassed than a victim.) Tell your girls to never let their gas tank get below 1/4 of a tank of gas!

For fun, have them bring a cute box, backpack, or old, favorite handbag that they no longer use and put together an emergency kit for the car with some basic tools and snacks.  Don't forget to add water!  As leaders, we can help them have a sense of self-reliance and help be prepared for unexpected circumstances.

Some basic ideas for your car kit:

Water
Granola bars/trail mix/dried fruit etc.
Basic first-aid kit
A couple of large trash bags
Flashlight (Batteries)
Pen/Paper
Kleenex/Paper towels
Wipes
Feminine items
Duct tape
Scissors
Whistle
Chapstick
Hand sanitizer


Also consider:

Pocket knife
Flares (and know how to use them)
A blanket
A fire extinguisher (and know how to use it)
Gloves/socks/hat
A small shovel
Matches or lighter
A disposable camera
Cash/coins
Sunblock
Bug Repellent
A book/cards
A small can and candle for melting snow
Cat litter for traction
An ice scraper
A map and compass (They learned how to use them at Girls' Camp-right?)
Extra clothing and shoes
A length of rope
A bar of soap
Tool kit
 
 

Silhouettes

http://projectnursery.com/2012/06/diy-simple-silhouettes/

Have the girls get together on a YW night and do silhouettes.  Use a strong flashlight or goose-neck lamp that will give you a definitive outline.  Bring black construction paper and a pencil or white coloured pencil.  Have the girls or leaders trace the silhouettes of the young woman.  They can then cut them and mount them in an inexpensive frame.  This is a great an activity on Individual Worth or Divine Nature.  It can be given as a gift or it can be mounted on top of a photo of the Temple to remind them or their goal to look toward the Temple.  This would also be an awesome camp craft.  Wouldn't this make a fun display at YW in Excellence?

Embroidery and Lace

lds distribution

LDS Distribution has women's lace handkerchiefs for $1.50 (US).  It's a great price and a wonderful handout to support this month's lessons on Marriage and Family.  Use a mutual night to have the girls learn to embroider their initials (first or both) on the handkerchief and save it for when she goes to the Temple.  It can be a one night, quick, and easy activity and can also be a reminder of her commitment to "go there someday."  I have a lovely handkerchief I received as a wedding shower gift and carried it with me when I was sealed to my husband.  It is very special momento.  This activity will fulfill Personal Progress value experience #2 for Knowledge.

Here is the link for the handkerchief:
http://store.lds.org/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=715839595&mpe_id=715848090&productId=196782&intv_id=715847390&evtype=CpgnClick&langId=-1&catalogId=10557&ddkey=http:ClickInfo